Phenomenon?
by P. Craig Browning

Oh, yes, the pit bull was unleashed this month and actually asked to look at this “controversial” program which, I may add, did far better in the UK when it was Uri’s show and he didn’t have to deal with a duopolistic punk sharing the limelight with him -- why NBC thought this was a necessity I will never know. Criss Angel destroyed not just the premise around the program but anything remotely magickal that could have been cultivated via these performances. Long story short, he has been and will forever remain the biggest detriment this and most any show hosting him will ever have. But don’t take my word for it, his ratings on "Mindfreak" are falling into the gutter as well: he’s become an arrogant bore or, as one person pointed out “a middle-aged man trying to be a Goth-boy”.

Just two words of advice for Criss – grow up!

To date I’ve not seen but one single “rave” review around this show, that coming from one of Canada’s best known pitchmen when it comes to the world of rehashing everyone else’s stuff and taking credit for it as well as the epitome of home garage video production -- regardless he typically charges way too much for what you get. As to why this guy would try to redeem the show is beyond me but I’ll give him credit in that there have been a huge number of examples of what not to do (like 3 roulette routines in the same show) and what to do (such as we saw with a few of the previously axed competitors, Jan Bardi in particular).

As most know, I support the old school modes of this craft, something reflected in the performances of but 3 (possibly a 4th) person in the line-up; the rest (and two in particular) are guilty of doing little other than Mental Magic at best, i.e., they are still showing that they are magicians doing a trick vs. a Mentalist creating intrigue. The most guilty party of this group for doing such is, sad to say, the one that will probably win the competition in that he’s a dynamic personality and a decent showman; I refer to Mike Super.

Eran Raven has potential… as a magician, as does the token female in the crew, Angelia Funovits, who, in my opinion, is falling into the classic tar pit of female-magicians by allowing her T&A accessories to sell her versus her talent. I became exceptionally prejudiced towards her when her original demo was another version of how to mutilate paper cups (another Smash & Stab rip-off akin to the same one all the other teenagers are doing in the world). Then the bloody reveal thing this past week… first, it took way too long once the towel was applied before the reveal but second, using her thigh was nothing more than a sex sell, a way to solicit support not because of her skill but her “availability”. Of course I do not mean that literally, only that a strong psychological factor exists that every marketing pro knows: sex and sensuality sell because they trigger a fantasy in the mind of the buyer or, in this case, the voter.

Gerry McCambridge hurt himself up front on the first night. Though he’s a solid showman, his arrogance is what is hurting him more than anything else. Especially when he made the comment about everyone else is “a” mentalist but he is “the” mentalist…. Sorry, but that was simply rude. As soon as the writer’s strike is over I hope Gerry hires a few to help him with his patter along with a decent director to help him smooth out the wrinkles in his routines. I liked the two bits I saw him do; the paint gun routine was very cute (but way too long). I just don’t see Gerry making it all the way through, however; he’s his own worse enemy on that front.

Jim Callahan as one person pointed out, “couldn’t act his way out of a wet paper bag” but he did hold to character and he did present his material in a manner that is reflective of the old school mind set. The whole argument between he and Angel was contrived in that Randi, someone with whom Angel has a rapport with, had recently blasted Callahan for trying to trip him up on the million-dollar challenge (I find it odd that Randi didn’t accept the challenge from Jim in that, according to Randi, the parameters of the test were created by Jim himself and were 100% legit when it came to laboratory standards. Of course, Randi would have to have the famed/mythical million on site for immediate claim and given his habit of running fast whenever someone comes close to meeting his challenge…)

No, Angel was merely echoing Randi’s ilk and playing the classic magician-skeptic’s game of “find the note” with the envelopes (we all know magicians can change the outcome even if the “guess” is right... don’t we?)

Callahan has never been one of my favorite people for many reasons, but I gained some new respect for him after seeing his performances. Though he may never go far commercially, I think he’s got a load of potential if he simply gets out of his own way and allows a few pros to direct his act and cultivate his persona a bit more.

Guy Bavli is the only one of the remaining competitors to date that still holds to a lot of the old school mode of approach and presentation. In that I’m fair friends with one of Guy’s mentors (Roni Shachnaey) I can see where he has learned first hand, what the difference is between doing magic tricks that only look psychic vs. presenting phenomenal encounters that are captivating as well as surreal. It saddens me that Guy’s chances of winning this competition are low in that we have a great deal of bias being barfed up by Mr. Angel who seems to insist on calling everyone a “Magician” and what they do “nice tricks” (perhaps we should start complimenting him on being a great video editor and his nice staging of stooges?)

Of those that have been axed from the show I must comment first on the one I am so grateful for having been cut, silently and fast. I refer to bubba Jim Karol who was either a failed stand-up comic or just the bouncer in a low end comedy club that just happened to discover a magic catalog somewhere, finding that stupid Bear Trap gag and… well, as they say he's history! Thank the gods for small favors! This guy was neither funny nor intriguing and most certainly not convincing at any level.

Wayne Hoffman -- another magician that thinks he can present tricks that look kindof sortof psychic and call himself a “Mentalist” -- sorry Wayne, you’re a club magician and nothing other… keep the day job!

Ehud Segev did a wonderful job with PK Touches but then everyone’s favorite hemorrhoid opened his orifice, not only naming the name of the routine but who released it to the public and the fact that Steve happens to be on his staff (oooooo… And people accuse me of name dropping and being insecure). Ehud offered a nice cross between what’s become 21st century mentalism and the old school. He was personable, delivered a decent mystery but I must take back a couple of points in that he did do a routine that is highly commercial now days and too well known. I think he’d been better off with something a bit less recognizable.

Jan Bardi (god bless him) demonstrated the type of material that I personally associate with true Mentalism. He took something very simple and created audience intrigue using it. He offered just a taste of showmanship savvy so as to reinforce his confidence and created a miracle. Anyone that wants to see what old school mentalism looks like, study Jan… in fact, you will see it in Jan, Ehud and Bavli but none of the other performers on this particular list, most all of whom are little more than magicians that jumped onto a commercial trend vs. learning what it really means to be a Mentalist. So I guess our friend up in Canada is correct in that "Phenomenon" taught us all what to do and what not to do, the latter being the primary point of issue, in that the show is rife with examples of what Mentalism is not.

When word first got out on this project many of the old timers saw it for what it was destined to be: trouble. Especially when they saw that both Angel and Geller were going to host the program; in simple “scientific” terms, vinegar and water don’t mix (I’ll let you decide which person in the duo is the Vinegar). Yes, "Phenomenon" has given us some valuable lessons, points that my brief commentary herein should hopefully accentuate in your mind, revealing to many of you not only how far from being a “Mentalist” you may be but likewise, the psychological nuance that defines one from the other; the Mentalist from the Magician.

One thing is for certain: "Phenomenon" has shown us all what the public isn’t buying into and the fact that the time has come to shift gears and find that new bandwagon to ride, allowing the more serious students of this craft to carry on. In short, the only truly phenomenal thing this show has done is destroy the trend and soured the idea of being a “Mentalist” in the minds of many, the many who are now looking at the gambling wave out there along side other notions which define the magic-based performing artists, such as classic parlor demonstrations, true sleight-of-hand/manipulation acts, etc. The show itself is proof positive that this is what the public wants to see – a Magic Show with just a bit of surreal intrigue.

Granted, as I pointed out previously, the involvement of Criss Angel put the kibosh on this program from the very start. Especially with his statement about “outing” anyone that claims to have special abilities or powers, the angle that most genuine old school mentalist work from and weren’t about to have denounced by some opinionated spoiled brat who hasn’t a clue who is who in the whole of Mentalism (he actually accused Alain Nu & John Riggs of stealing “Metal Bending” and the “Blindfold Drive” from him, not knowing in the least, who he was challenging) and yet, sees himself as a major authority.

No, the most phenomenal thing about "Phenomenon" is that it has managed to last more than two episodes without the NBC team pulling the plug on it or at least firing Mr. Angel due to public up-set and on-going complaints over the program. But then I don’t have that college degree that says that I officially know my ass from a hole in the ground, now do I?

For another take on Criss Angel and "Phenomenon", check out this YouTube video by John Riggs' son. I think you'll appreciate it.

Craig Browning